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Qualcomm’s new ‘Elite’ sound chip might finally deliver the Wi-Fi earbud dream
The Verge • • general
Key Points:
- Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon Sound Elite Gen 2, the first chip to integrate micro-power Wi-Fi 6E, enabling wireless earbuds and audio glasses to connect directly to home Wi-Fi for high-quality lossless audio streaming.
- This new chip eliminates the need for a separate Wi-Fi chip, addressing previous adoption challenges seen with the Snapdragon S7 Pro sound platform and its XPAN technology.
- The Elite Gen 2 chip is 30% smaller, uses up to 40% less power, and offers double the AI processing power compared to its predecessor, making it more attractive for compact device manufacturers.
- Qualcomm is collaborating with HP on an unnamed product, working closely with Bose, and developing intelligent hearables with Cleer, which may include earbuds with built-in cameras.
